A data object is a single record which contains metadata. The metadata it contains is described by the fields of the data object.

DataSet

A dataset is all the data objects of a certain type in a single repository. For example the "eprint" and "user" datasets. There are some "magic" datasets named "inbox", "buffer","archive","deletion" but these are subsets of the "eprint" dataset. An EPrint Object is always in the eprint dataset, but only in one of the sub-sets. For configuration values, always use "eprint".

Database

Data objects are usually stored in the database. They are generally spread over a number of tables with the same prefix.

Non-multiple (single value) fields are stored in the table with the same name as the dataset. eg. "eprint".

Mutilple fields (lists of values) are stored in their own table named after the dataset, then an underscore then the fieldname. For example "eprint_subjects". These tables also contain a "pos" value to indicate the order of the list. This is always present, even if it's a bit meaningless for some fields.

XML

API

All dataobjects are represented as instances of subclasses of EPrints::DataObj. This is just and overview of the sort of things you can do. For full API documentation go here.

All dataobjects support some basic methods:

$value = $dataobj->get_value( $fieldname );

The $value should be utf-8 encoded, but EPrints won't check, so be careful.

$dataobj->set_value( $fieldname, $value );
$dataobj->commit;

The database is not actually updated until commit is called. Any modified fields will be queued for re-indexing by the indexer, if needed.

$boolean = $dataobj->is_set( $fieldname );

True if the named field has a value set in this data object. Gives a warning if the field does not exist.

$boolean = $dataobj->exists_and_set( $fieldname );

Returns true if this dataobj has a field named $fieldname AND that field is set. This is useful for plugins which do not wish to fail, just because a field does not exist in the current repository.

$xhtml = $dataobj->render_value( $fieldname );

Returns an XHTML DOM object describing the value of the field in the dataobject. How it is rendered into HTML depends on the type of the field, what properties are set on that field and the language of the current session.

$output = $dataobj->export( $pluginid, %params );

Returns the results of applying the export plugin named $pluginid to this object.